Fold cracking of coated paper: The effect of pulp fiber composition and beating

Abstract Fold cracking of coated papers has become important because of the increase in the coat weight and the content of low cost co-binder. The effects of base paper characteristics of coated paper were investigated to reduce fold cracking. We evaluated the fold cracking of coated paper prepared with different mixing ratios and beating degrees of pulp fibers. Hardwood bleached kraft pulp (Hw-BKP) and softwood bleached kraft pulp (Sw- BKP) were used to prepare base papers for coating. The mechanical and structural properties of base paper such as tensile strength, strain at break, short span compressive strength, and formation were measured. The fold cracking was affected by mixing ratio of pulp fibers. Base paper consisting of Hw-BKP and Sw-BKP at a 90:10 mixing ratio showed the least fold cracking. When the amount of Sw-BKP was greater than 10% or if only Hw- BKP was used, the fold cracking increased on coated paper. When the pulp was highly beaten, the mechanical strength of paper was improved, but the fold cracking was severe. An increase in the tensile strength did not reduce the fold cracking.